Araucana thread anyone?

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I would watch them. I don't know how hardy araucanaa are in US but mine have been somewhat weak as chicks. I would keep them warm at cold nights. there is a big difference in temperature between house and coop. they should acclimate gradually. extra caution will not harm.

They seem to be pretty hardy. I’m just nervous as they are such a rare breed and I don’t want anything to happen to them.

 

[Trish1974]

Just wanted to share a few pictures I took this morning. The boys are getting so big.

Buck: My clean faced cockerel. I just LOVE his body type and tight comb. (Ignore the numbers, I sent these pics to a breeder and was asking questions).

Manolito. My double tufted (but picked) black cockerel. I love his beautiful black and beatle green sheen. If it wasn't for that hideous comb...

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Just wanted to share a few pictures I took this morning. The boys are getting so big.

Buck: My clean faced cockerel. I just LOVE his body type and tight comb. (Ignore the numbers, I sent these pics to a breeder and was asking questions).
View attachment 1680953
View attachment 1680964

Manolito. My double tufted (but picked) black cockerel. I love his beautiful black and beatle green sheen. If it wasn't for that hideous comb...
View attachment 1680961
View attachment 1680963

Nice pictures.
I’m sure if you pair Manolito with hens with nice tight pea combs you’ll hatch some that look like him but with a tighter comb.

 

[Trish1974]

I'm still up in the air about how I should go about my breeding program this year. Nancy Utterback told me I need to breed UP in size, first and foremost. Manoito is definitely the biggest cockerel. So do I put all 4 females with him, or divide 2 and 2 between him and Buck? I emailed Jason, the president of the Araucana club (and the breeder I'm getting the two blue birchen pullets from) and asked for his advice.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I'm still up in the air about how I should go about my breeding program this year. Nancy Utterback told me I need to breed UP in size, first and foremost. Manoito is definitely the biggest cockerel. So do I put all 4 females with him, or divide 2 and 2 between him and Buck? I emailed Jason, the president of the Araucana club (and the breeder I'm getting the two blue birchen pullets from) and asked for his advice.

When Ms. Utterback says you need to breed up in size does she mean that the birds don’t weigh enough? The standard calls for 4.5 lb cockerels, 5 lb cockerels, 4.5 lb hens I believe, and 3.5 lb pullets.
I’d refer to Kathy Brunson’s first year breeding program section.

 

[Trish1974]

When Ms. Utterback says you need to breed up in size does she mean that the birds don’t weigh enough? The standard calls for 4.5 lb cockerels, 5 lb cockerels, 4.5 lb hens I believe, and 3.5 lb pullets.
I’d refer to Kathy Brunson’s first year breeding program section.

Yes, she said over time her line got too small while selectively breeding for other qualities. She is now only focused on bantams so she probably didn't mind.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Yes, she said over time her line got too small while selectively breeding for other qualities. She is now only focused on bantams so she probably didn't mind.

I think however you decide to pair up your breeders you should hatch as many chicks as possible so you have plenty to choose from for next years breeding pens.

 

[chickengr]

I'm still up in the air about how I should go about my breeding program this year. Nancy Utterback told me I need to breed UP in size, first and foremost. Manoito is definitely the biggest cockerel. So do I put all 4 females with him, or divide 2 and 2 between him and Buck? I emailed Jason, the president of the Araucana club (and the breeder I'm getting the two blue birchen pullets from) and asked for his advice.

I would divide 2 and 2 between manolito and buck. my experience: you never know what you will get. my disaster birds gave me good progeny. my good birds gave me bad progeny. more pairing - more chances to get good birds.

 

[pginsber]

@TashaFrancois You should definitely get some Araucanas...they are amazing birds! There is a whole different level of intelligence in the breed, and I would rank their personality and temperament right up there with Orpingtons. I've been studying this breed and talking with breeders for a year now and have yet to hear of an aggressive Araucana cock. My first Araucana (my avatar) was an extra cockerel out of a batch of hatching eggs a lady a couple hours away from me was selling. I've had him a little over a year now. I was so enamored with him that sent me on a quest to breed these birds. ...

I wholeheartedly agree with @Trish1974--Aracuana boys are fantastic.

I hatched 4 from 24 shipped eggs--3 survived--all were roos. We kept one and rehomed the other two. Their new homes love them as much as we do.

They're very curious birds, sweet to their girls, observant, and I couldn't be happier with them.

My Aracauna roo has taken food from my hand, too. He didn't eat it though, he just took it then dropped it and called his girls.

I'n hoping Nancy has a hen this year that we can add to our flock. We don't show or breed for projects, just raise for eggs and pets. Never had an Aracauna hen, so I'm excited to get one. I bet they're sweet, too!

 

[Trish1974]

My pullet Bonita (single tufted) laid her first egg overnight! I opened the pop door this morning and there it was, on the floor of the coop right underneath her! Luckily I had fluffed their straw last night so it was intact. I can't tell if it is more of an ix or vii on the color card.

Bonita: